Lightning: Safety Tips for Summer Storms

Each year in the United States, approximately 66 people are killed from being struck by lightning, while an average of 300 people are injured. Because the chance of being hit by lightening is 1/700,000, many people think it will never happen to them. But if you are in the wrong place during a storm, it can happen to you.

How many times have you stood in an open garage or slept in a tent while a thunderstorm rumbled over you? If you heard the thunder you were in danger of being struck by lightning. Lightning can strike up to 10 miles away from it origin, meaning if you see a storm in the distance, you can be hit. So, don't stand there and watch the pretty lightning shoot across the sky because it may shoot right at you.

Safe Places

Buildings - Buildings that are fully enclosed with four walls, a roof and a floor such as a house, office building, school or shopping mall are the safest. If lightning strikes an enclosed building, the current travels through wiring and plumbing and into the ground. This is why it is important not to be on the phone or near a computer or television during a storm. Unplug any electrical appliances if they are not on a surge protector so lightning cannot damage them. Also, stay away from sinks, tubs, hot tubs, etc. These can crack or shatter from the lightning and you can get electrocuted in tubs or hot tubs. Always wait at least 30 minutes after the last roll of thunder before going outside.

Do not stand in structures that are only partially enclosed like pole barns, patios, open garages, baseball dugouts, golf shelters or any other small building that doesn't have electricity or plumbing.

Vehicles - A safe vehicle is one with a hard top. Make sure all doors and windows are shut and don't touch any metal while inside during a storm. Also, do not use any electronic devices such as HAM radios. Lightning can strike the antenna and the radio can explode in your hand. You will be safe in your vehicle as long as you do not touch any electronic device or metal. Instances of cars catching on fire or exploding when struck by lightning are very rare.

Pull off to the side of the road if you are driving during a storm. If your car is hit, the strike can startle you or cause temporary blindness, possibly causing an accident.

Sometimes you aren't anywhere near a building when a storm hits. You may be fishing or camping or golfing. The following are suggestions on how to stay as safe as possible while outdoors.

Boats - Most lightning injuries and deaths occur in boats without cabins on the water. Always check the weather forecast before going out onto the water. If you are on the water and you see a storm approaching, get back to land as quickly as possible and head to a safe building. If you cannot get back to shore and your boat has no cabin, set down any metal items, nets, and fishing rods, put down the anchor and lie as low in the boat as possible. If you have a cabin, anchor the boat and go inside but do not touch any radios or metal objects.

Camping - When setting up camp, don't chose a hill or a site near tall trees to place your tent. This can make you a target for lightning. If a storm breaks out while you are camping, do not go into the tent for cover. Tents offer no protection against lightning strikes. Go to your car if it is nearby. Picnic shelters and wooden out-houses will not protect you either. If there is no safe building nearby and your car is too far away, find a low ditch to lie in. Do not stand under trees or out in the open as this will make you a target. Being the lowest thing in the area will make your chances of getting hit much smaller.

Sporting Games - If you are at your child's baseball or soccer game and a thunderstorm begins get your family to the car as quickly as possible. Dugouts and most shelters are not safe. Restrooms are safe, if available. Remember, even if you can't see the lightning it can still strike you. Where there is thunder, there is lightning.

Golf - If you are golfing and you hear thunder, immediately put away your clubs and get to the clubhouse, a restroom or your car as soon as possible. If you are too far back on the course to get to a safe place, find a spot away from trees and get as low as possible. When with a group of people stand at least 15 feet apart. This way if one person gets hit the electricity will not travel to anyone else.

If you or someone with you is struck by lightning, get medical attention as quickly as possible. Even if the person thinks they are OK, they need to go to a hospital. Short-term effects from a lightning strike can be vomiting, intense headaches, dizziness, nausea, and ringing in the ears. Long-term effects can include damage to the brain and nervous system, short-term memory loss, becoming easily distracted, fatigue, and even personality changes. For these reasons it is imperative to seek medical attention.

Summer activities can be safe as long as you keep an eye on the weather forecast and react safely when thunderstorms strike.